Albania vows to include more women in decision-making and the labour market (updated)

Promising the effective engagement of all institutions responsible for taking action on gender equality and women’s empowerment, Albania vows to take action on women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women, and increasing their role in decision-making. This will include increasing and improving women’s access to credit, and promoting and expanding employment programmes for women and girls, towards upping the participation of women in labour markets.

The country will take steps to prevent and reduce violence against women, and eliminate gender discrimination in education and health services and in the media.

Efforts to increase the number of women in decision-making will cover central and local positions across public administration, including the police and armed forces.

Speaking at the Global Leaders' Meeting on 27 September 2015, Prime Minister Edi Rama said: “The Government that I lead has placed gender equality at the centre of its agenda.” [ Full speech ]

Developments since Albania’s commitment

Since the Global Leaders’ Meeting, Albania adopted the National Strategy for Gender Equality and Action Plan 2016–2020 in October 2016, with the aim to consolidate efforts by all institutions to advance the goal of gender equality.

To expand employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for women, state funds have been used to benefit 40 enterprises led by women. Women and girls also formed 56 per cent of unemployed people who benefited from an employment promotion programme. Moreover, the recently adopted Law on Crafts has created opportunities for women in the craftsmanship market.

The country has taken steps to prevent and address violence against women. Support services for survivors of domestic violence have been strengthened, involving national shelters, free legal aid, referral mechanisms at the municipal level, and a National Counselling Line for Victims of Domestic Violence.

Progress is also being made on improving women’s participation and decision-making capabilities. For the first time, a woman general was promoted in the Albanian Armed Forces. [ Full update ]